EPA Archives

Some U.S. Roundup plaintiffs balk at signing Bayer settlement deals; $160,000 average payout eyed

Carey Gillam | July 30, 2020

Plaintiffs in the U.S. Roundup litigation are starting to learn the details of what Bayer AG’s $10 billion settlement of cancer claims actually means for them individually, and some are not liking what they see. Bayer said in late June it had negotiated settlements with several major plaintiffs’ law firms in a deal that would … Some U.S. Roundup plaintiffs balk at signing Bayer settlement deals; $160,000 average payout eyed

Bayer’s bid to settle U.S. Roundup cancer claims making progress

Carey Gillam | December 1, 2020

Monsanto owner Bayer AG is making progress toward a sweeping settlement of thousands of U.S. lawsuits brought by people alleging they or their loved ones developed cancer after exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides. Recent correspondence from plaintiffs’ lawyers to their clients underscored that progress, confirming a large percentage of plaintiffs are opting to participate in … Bayer’s bid to settle U.S. Roundup cancer claims making progress

A death and a settlement as Bayer continues trying to end Roundup litigation

Carey Gillam | January 13, 2021

Seven months after Bayer AG announced plans for a sweeping settlement of U.S. Roundup cancer litigation, the German owner of Monsanto Co. continues to work to settle tens of thousands of claims brought by people suffering from cancer they say was caused by Monsanto’s weed killing products. On Wednesday, one more case appeared to find … A death and a settlement as Bayer continues trying to end Roundup litigation

Dying man asks California Supreme Court to restore jury award in Monsanto Roundup case

Carey Gillam | August 31, 2020

The school groundskeeper who won the first-ever trial over allegations that Monsanto’s Roundup causes cancer is asking the California Supreme Court to restore $250 million in punitive damages awarded by the jury who heard his case but then slashed by an appeals court to $20.5 million. Notably, the appeal by plaintiff Dewayne “Lee” Johnson has … Dying man asks California Supreme Court to restore jury award in Monsanto Roundup case

Bayer’s Monsanto headache persists

Carey Gillam | October 1, 2020

The migraine that is Monsanto doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon for Bayer AG. Efforts at settling the mass of lawsuits brought in the United States by tens of thousands of people who claim Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides gave them cancer continue to inch forward, but are not addressing all outstanding cases, nor are … Bayer’s Monsanto headache persists

Settlement in Monsanto Roundup cancer litigation complicated by hold-out attorney

Carey Gillam | January 17, 2020

What will it take to get Mike Miller to settle? That is the pressing question as one of the lead lawyers in the nationwide Roundup cancer litigation has thus far refused to align with fellow litigators in agreeing to settle cases on behalf of thousands of cancer patients who claim their diseases were caused by … Settlement in Monsanto Roundup cancer litigation complicated by hold-out attorney

Appeals court upholds groundskeeper’s Roundup cancer trial win over Monsanto

Carey Gillam | July 20, 2020

In yet another court loss for Monsanto owner Bayer AG, an appeals court rejected the company’s effort to overturn the trial victory notched by a California school groundskeeper who alleged exposure to Monsanto’s glyphosate herbicides caused him to develop cancer, though the court did say damages should be cut to $20.5 million. The Court of … Appeals court upholds groundskeeper’s Roundup cancer trial win over Monsanto

California Supreme Court denies review of Monsanto Roundup trial loss

Carey Gillam | October 22, 2020

The California Supreme Court will not review a California man’s trial win over Monsanto, dealing another blow to Monsanto’s German owner, Bayer AG. The decision to deny a review in the case of Dewayne “Lee” Johnson marks the latest in a string of court losses for Bayer as it tries to complete settlements with close … California Supreme Court denies review of Monsanto Roundup trial loss

Bayer makes new $2 billion plan to head off future Roundup cancer claims

Carey Gillam | February 3, 2021

Monsanto owner Bayer AG said Wednesday it was attempting again to manage and resolve potential future Roundup cancer claims, laying out a $2 billion deal with a group of plaintiffs’ attorneys that Bayer hopes will win approval from a federal judge who rejected a prior plan last summer. Notably, the deal calls for Bayer to … Bayer makes new $2 billion plan to head off future Roundup cancer claims

Weed Killer Residues Found in 98 Percent of Canadian Honey Samples

Susan Lang | March 22, 2019

Study is the latest evidence that glyphosate herbicides are so pervasive that residues can be found in foods not produced by farmers using glyphosate. This article was originally published in Environmental Health News. By Carey Gillam As U.S. regulators continue to dance around the issue of testing foods for residues of glyphosate weed killers, government … Weed Killer Residues Found in 98 Percent of Canadian Honey Samples

Read the emails, texts that show EPA efforts to slow ATSDR glyphosate review

Stacy Malkan | April 16, 2019

Update: The ATSDR published their draft toxicological profile for glyphosate in April 2019. See coverage: ATSDR Report Confirms Glyphosate Cancer Risks, NRDC (4.11.2019); Some Links to Cancer Shown in Draft Review of Common Pesticide, Bloomberg (4.8.2019); Emails Show Monsanto Cozy with Feds, Courthouse News (4.15.2019). This article by Carey Gillam was originally published in Huffington … Read the emails, texts that show EPA efforts to slow ATSDR glyphosate review

White House Has “Monsanto’s Back on Pesticides,” Newly Revealed Document Says

Carey Gillam | May 7, 2019

Internal Monsanto records just filed in court show that a corporate intelligence group hired to “to take the temperature on current regulatory attitudes for glyphosate” reported that the White House could be counted on to defend the company’s Roundup herbicides. In a report attached to a July 2018 email to Monsanto global strategy official Todd … White House Has “Monsanto’s Back on Pesticides,” Newly Revealed Document Says

St. Louis Judge Denies Monsanto Bid to Delay Another Roundup Cancer Trial

Carey Gillam | August 13, 2019

Monsanto’s bid to postpone another upcoming Roundup cancer trials in St. Louis has failed – at least for the time being – as a judge has ordered that a trial set for October will proceed. After hearing Monsanto’s argument last week seeking a continuance in the case of Walter Winston v. Monsanto, St. Louis Circuit … St. Louis Judge Denies Monsanto Bid to Delay Another Roundup Cancer Trial

Dicamba litigation against Bayer, BASF poised to explode, lawyers say

Carey Gillam | February 26, 2020

Thousands of farmers from multiple states are expected to join mass tort litigation pending in federal court over claims that weed-killing products developed by the former Monsanto Co. and other chemical companies are destroying and contaminating crops, including organic production, a group of lawyers and farmers said on Wednesday. The number of farmers seeking legal … Dicamba litigation against Bayer, BASF poised to explode, lawyers say

New legal filings over alleged Roundup dangers amid court coronavirus delays

Carey Gillam | March 24, 2020

Even as the spread of the coronavirus closes courthouse doors to the public and lawyers, legal maneuvering continues over claims of danger associated with Monsanto’s glyphosate-based herbicides. Two nonprofit advocacy groups, the Center for Food Safety (CFS) and the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), filed an amicus brief on behalf of cancer patient Edwin Hardeman … New legal filings over alleged Roundup dangers amid court coronavirus delays

Fresh talk of a settlement between Bayer and Roundup cancer patients

Carey Gillam | May 26, 2020

There was renewed talk of a potential settlement this week between Bayer AG and tens of thousands of cancer patients as a key court hearing looms next week. According to a report in Bloomberg, lawyers for Bayer have reached verbal agreements with U.S. lawyers representing at least 50,000 plaintiffs who are suing Monsanto over claims … Fresh talk of a settlement between Bayer and Roundup cancer patients

UPDATED – Court overturns EPA approval of Bayer dicamba herbicide; says regulator “understated the risks”

Carey Gillam | June 3, 2020

(UPDATES with statement from BASF) In a stunning rebuke of the Environmental Protection Agency, a federal court on Wednesday overturned the agency’s approval of popular dicamba-based herbicides made by chemical giants Bayer, BASF and Corteva Agrisciences. The ruling effectively makes it illegal for farmers to continue to use the product. The ruling by the U.S. … UPDATED – Court overturns EPA approval of Bayer dicamba herbicide; says regulator “understated the risks”

Appeals court denies Monsanto bid for Roundup case rehearing

Carey Gillam | August 18, 2020

A California appeals court on Tuesday rejected Monsanto’s effort to trim $4 million from the amount of money it owes a California groundskeeper who is struggling to survive cancer that a jury found was caused by the man’s exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides. The Court of Appeal for the First Appellate District of California also … Appeals court denies Monsanto bid for Roundup case rehearing

New glyphosate papers point to “urgency” for more research on chemical impact to human health

Carey Gillam | November 23, 2020

Newly published scientific papers illustrate the ubiquitous nature of the weed killing chemical glyphosate and a need to better understand the impact exposure to the popular pesticide may be having on human health, including the health of the gut microbiome. In one of the new papers, researchers from the University of Turku in Finland said … New glyphosate papers point to “urgency” for more research on chemical impact to human health

EPA’s assessments of chemicals draws criticism from its own scientists

Carey Gillam | February 24, 2021

Many U.S. scientists working for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) say they don’t trust the agency’s senior leaders to be honest and they fear retaliation if they were to report a violation of the law, according to a survey of employees conducted in 2020. According to the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey for 2020, which was … EPA’s assessments of chemicals draws criticism from its own scientists

New research adds evidence that weed killer glyphosate disrupts hormones

Carey Gillam | November 13, 2020

New research is adding worrisome evidence to concerns that the widely used weedkilling chemical glyphosate may have the potential to interfere with human hormones. In a paper published in the journal Chemosphere titled Glyphosate and the key characteristics of an endocrine disruptor: A review, a trio of scientists concluded that glyphosate appears to have eight out … New research adds evidence that weed killer glyphosate disrupts hormones

Roundup cancer attorney pleads guilty to extortion attempt

Carey Gillam | June 22, 2020

A Virginia lawyer who helped represent the first Roundup cancer plaintiff to take Monsanto to trial pleaded guilty on Friday to trying to extort $200 million from a chemical compound supplier to Monsanto. Timothy Litzenburg, 38, admitted to a scheme in which he and another lawyer threatened to inflict substantial “financial and reputational harm” on … Roundup cancer attorney pleads guilty to extortion attempt

Bayer backs away from plan to contain future Roundup cancer claims

Carey Gillam | July 8, 2020

Monsanto owner Bayer AG is backing away from a plan to contain future Roundup cancer claims after a federal judge made it clear he would not approve the scheme, which would delay new trials and limit jury decision-making. The plan concocted by Bayer and a small group of lawyers was filed last month in U.S. … Bayer backs away from plan to contain future Roundup cancer claims

Appeals court hears arguments over Monsanto’s first Roundup trial loss

Carey Gillam | June 2, 2020

A California jury decision blaming a Monsanto herbicide for a school groundskeeper’s cancer was deeply flawed and incompatible with the law, a Monsanto attorney told a panel of appellate judges on Tuesday. The company’s glyphosate-based herbicides – popularly known as Roundup – have the full backing of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and “regulators around … Appeals court hears arguments over Monsanto’s first Roundup trial loss

Appeals court focused on damages question ahead of Johnson v. Monsanto hearing

Carey Gillam | May 14, 2020

A California appeals court looks poised to issue a ruling that would uphold the first U.S. trial victory involving allegations that Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer causes cancer. The California Courts of Appeal First Appellate District on Wednesday notified lawyers for plaintiff Dewayne “Lee” Johnson and legal counsel for Monsanto that they should be prepared to … Appeals court focused on damages question ahead of Johnson v. Monsanto hearing

Bayer said to be reneging on Roundup settlement deals as virus closes courthouses

Carey Gillam | April 3, 2020

Bayer AG is reneging on negotiated settlements with several U.S. law firms representing thousands of plaintiffs who claim exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides caused them to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma, sources involved in the litigation said on Friday. The reversal comes as U.S. courts are closed to the public because of the spreading coronavirus, eliminating the … Bayer said to be reneging on Roundup settlement deals as virus closes courthouses

Shareholder files suit against Bayer over “disastrous” Monsanto acquisition

Carey Gillam | March 6, 2020

A California shareholder of Bayer AG on Friday filed a lawsuit against the companies’ top executives claiming they breached their duty of “prudence” and “loyalty” to the company and investors by buying Monsanto Co. in 2018, an acquisition the suit claims has “inflicted billions of dollars of damages” on the company. Plaintiff Rebecca R. Haussmann, … Shareholder files suit against Bayer over “disastrous” Monsanto acquisition

As settlement talks drag on, another Monsanto Roundup trial nears

Carey Gillam | February 20, 2020

Continuing to lack a resolution in the massive nationwide Roundup cancer litigation, a leading U.S. plaintiffs’ law firm is pressing ahead with preparations for a California trial involving a critically ill cancer patient and his wife who are suing the former Monsanto company claiming the man’s disease is due to years of his use of … As settlement talks drag on, another Monsanto Roundup trial nears

St. Louis Roundup cancer trial “will not resume;” settlement news expected

Carey Gillam | February 3, 2020

A Roundup cancer trial in St. Louis, Missouri, will not open on Wednesday as expected, a court spokesman said Monday, fueling fresh speculation that a global settlement of tens of thousands of lawsuits brought by cancer victims against the former Monsanto Co. may be near. St. Louis City Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth Hogan issued the … St. Louis Roundup cancer trial “will not resume;” settlement news expected

St. Louis Roundup trial postponed as large settlement appears near

Carey Gillam | January 24, 2020

Update – Statement from Bayer: “The parties have reached an agreement to continue the Wade case in Missouri Circuit Court for St. Louis. The continuance is intended to provide room for the parties to continue the mediation process in good faith under the auspices of Ken Feinberg, and avoid the distractions that can arise from trials. While Bayer … St. Louis Roundup trial postponed as large settlement appears near

Bayer settlement of Roundup cancer claims still up in air

Carey Gillam | January 28, 2020

Jurors selected to hear a St. Louis case pitting cancer victims against Monsanto have been told the trial that was postponed indefinitely last week could resume as early as next Monday, a court spokesman said, an indication that efforts by Monsanto owner Bayer AG to end nationwide litigation over the safety of Roundup herbicides is … Bayer settlement of Roundup cancer claims still up in air

Dust-up over media ahead of Roundup cancer trial opening

Carey Gillam | January 23, 2020

Lawyers representing the opposing sides of the upcoming Monsanto Roundup cancer trial due to open Friday in St. Louis were huddled away from the courthouse on Thursday amid speculation that settlement talks between the plaintiffs attorneys and Monsanto owner Bayer AG were at a critical juncture. In the absence of the attorneys, confusion over media … Dust-up over media ahead of Roundup cancer trial opening

Stakes are high with two Roundup cancer trials starting amid settlement talks

Carey Gillam | January 22, 2020

It’s been nearly five years since international cancer scientists classified a popular weed-killing chemical as probably carcinogenic, news that triggered an explosion of lawsuits brought by cancer patients who blame the former chemical maker Monsanto Co. for their suffering. Tens of thousands of U.S. plaintiffs – some lawyers involved in the litigation say over 100,000 … Stakes are high with two Roundup cancer trials starting amid settlement talks

Monsanto loses effort to head off St. Louis trial that starts next week

Carey Gillam | January 16, 2020

Monsanto’s German owner Bayer AG has failed in efforts to head off a Missouri trial over claims brought by cancer patients that Monsanto’s herbicide caused their diseases and Monsanto hid the risks. In a ruling handed down Wednesday, St. Louis City Judge Elizabeth Byrne Hogan of Missouri’s 22nd Circuit ruled that the company wasn’t entitled … Monsanto loses effort to head off St. Louis trial that starts next week

Anticipation Builds For Settlement of Roundup Cancer Claims

Carey Gillam | January 14, 2020

Anticipation is building around the belief that there could soon be an announcement of at least a partial settlement of U.S. lawsuits pitting thousands of U.S. cancer patients against Monsanto Co. over allegations the company hid the health risks of its Roundup herbicides. Investors in Bayer AG, the German company that bought Monsanto in 2018, … Anticipation Builds For Settlement of Roundup Cancer Claims

St. Louis Monsanto Roundup Trial Postponed, Bayer stock climbs

Carey Gillam | January 8, 2020

A highly anticipated Roundup cancer trial set to start later this month in the St. Louis area has been pulled from the docket, a court official said on Wednesday. The trial, which was to pit a woman named Sharlean Gordon against Roundup maker Monsanto Co., was to start Jan. 27 in St. Louis County and … St. Louis Monsanto Roundup Trial Postponed, Bayer stock climbs

More Monsanto Roundup Cancer Trials Expected to be Postponed

Carey Gillam | January 7, 2020

(UPDATE Jan. 8, 2020- On Wednesday, St. Louis County Court spokeswoman Christine Bertelson confirmed that one trial set to start Jan. 27 has been officially postponed with no new trial date yet set. That trial was to pit a woman named Sharlean Gordon against Monsanto. ) Discussions are underway to postpone one or more highly … More Monsanto Roundup Cancer Trials Expected to be Postponed

Monsanto Makes New Bid to Block St. Louis Trial

Carey Gillam | September 23, 2019

Less than a month away from what would be the fourth Roundup cancer trial to pit cancer victims against the former agrochemical giant Monsanto Co., lawyers for the opposing sides continue to battle over how, when and where the case should – or should not – be heard. Lawyers for Monsanto and for its German … Monsanto Makes New Bid to Block St. Louis Trial

UPDATED- St. Louis Trial over Monsanto Roundup Cancer Claims in Limbo

Carey Gillam | September 19, 2019

(UPDATE) – On Sept. 12, the Missouri Supreme Court closed the case, agreeing with plaintiffs’ attorneys that Monsanto’s request for the high court to take up the venue issue was moot. St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Michael Mullen then transferred all plaintiffs except Winston to St. Louis County in a Sept. 13 order.) An October … UPDATED- St. Louis Trial over Monsanto Roundup Cancer Claims in Limbo

New Analysis Raises Questions About EPA’s Glyphosate Classification

Stacy Malkan | January 14, 2019

Researcher says the EPA has disregarded substantial evidence that the popular herbicide is linked to cancer This article was originally published in Environmental Health News. By Carey Gillam A little more than a month ahead of a first-ever federal trial over the issue of whether or not Monsanto’s popular weed killers can cause cancer, a … New Analysis Raises Questions About EPA’s Glyphosate Classification

Tech, Medical and Farm Groups Ask Appeals Court to Overturn Verdict Against Monsanto

Carey Gillam | September 4, 2019

Groups representing farm, medical and biotechnology interests have filed briefs with the California Court of Appeal, aligning with Monsanto in asking the court to overturn last summer’s jury verdict that found Monsanto’s glyphosate-herbicides cause cancer and determined that the company spent years covering up the risks. The groups are urging the appeals court to either … Tech, Medical and Farm Groups Ask Appeals Court to Overturn Verdict Against Monsanto

Emails Reveal Science Publisher Found Papers On Herbicide Safety Should Be Retracted Due to Monsanto Meddling

Carey Gillam | August 23, 2019

Secretive influence by Monsanto in a set of papers published in the scientific journal Critical Reviews in Toxicology was so unethical that an investigation by the publisher found that at least three of the papers should be retracted, according to a series of internal journal communications. The journal editor refused to retract the papers, which … Emails Reveal Science Publisher Found Papers On Herbicide Safety Should Be Retracted Due to Monsanto Meddling

A Matter of Fact – Professor Refuses to Correct Errors in New Scientific Paper Finding Problems with Glyphosate

Carey Gillam | June 5, 2019

(UPDATED June 5 with comment from Scientific Reports) The authors of a newly published paper examining the impacts of exposure to the world’s most widely used herbicide declared some shocking news. The team from Washington State University found that descendants of rats exposed to the chemical glyphosate developed prostate, kidney and ovarian diseases, obesity and … A Matter of Fact – Professor Refuses to Correct Errors in New Scientific Paper Finding Problems with Glyphosate

St. Louis Roundup Cancer Trial Reset for January, Talk of Bayer Settlement

Carey Gillam | August 7, 2019

The much-anticipated Roundup cancer trial set to get underway in two weeks in Monsanto’s former hometown of St. Louis is being rescheduled, according to the a spokeswoman for the St. Louis County Court where the trial was set to begin Aug 19. Court spokeswoman Christine Bertelson said Judge Brian May, who is overseeing the … St. Louis Roundup Cancer Trial Reset for January, Talk of Bayer Settlement

Sick Children Among Cancer Victims Suing Monsanto Over Roundup

Carey Gillam | July 16, 2019

A 12-year-old boy suffering from cancer is among the newest plaintiffs taking on Monsanto and its German owner Bayer AG in growing litigation over the safety of Roundup herbicides and Monsanto’s handling of scientific concerns about the products. Lawyers for Jake Bellah were in court Monday in Lake County Superior Court in Lakeport, California arguing … Sick Children Among Cancer Victims Suing Monsanto Over Roundup

Judge Cuts Amount Monsanto Owner Bayer Owes Cancer Victim

Carey Gillam | July 15, 2019

A federal judge has slashed the punitive damages a jury ordered Monsanto to pay to cancer victim Edwin Hardeman from $75 million to $20 million, despite the judge’s description of Monsanto’s conduct surrounding questions about the safety of its Roundup herbicide as “reprehensible.” U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria ruled Monday that the jury’s decision in the … Judge Cuts Amount Monsanto Owner Bayer Owes Cancer Victim

Monsanto, Bayer Struggle to Keep Up with Growing Roundup Cancer Litigation

Carey Gillam | June 13, 2019

Turmoil both in and outside courtrooms appears to be growing for Monsanto, a unit of German owner Bayer AG, as the company works to meet overlapping deadlines for appeal actions in the three Roundup cancer trials Monsanto has lost so far at the same time that the company must prepare for new trials at the … Monsanto, Bayer Struggle to Keep Up with Growing Roundup Cancer Litigation

In Their Hands – Jurors in 3rd Monsanto Roundup Cancer Trial Weigh Evidence

Carey Gillam | May 13, 2019

Jury deliberations were set to resume Monday morning in Oakland, California in the case of an elderly married couple who allege that many years of use of Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide caused them each to develop debilitating non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Lawyers for plaintiffs Alva and Alberta Pilliod and legal counsel for Monsanto and its German owner Bayer … In Their Hands – Jurors in 3rd Monsanto Roundup Cancer Trial Weigh Evidence

“Go Get ‘Em” – Jury Deliberations Starting in Roundup Cancer Trial

Carey Gillam | May 9, 2019

After dramatic day-long closing arguments in which the plaintiffs’ attorney suggested $1 billion in punitive damages would be appropriate, jury deliberations were getting underway on Thursday in the trial pitting a married couple with cancer against Monsanto. Alva and Alberta Pilliod, each diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, were in Alameda County Superior Court in Oakland, California, … “Go Get ‘Em” – Jury Deliberations Starting in Roundup Cancer Trial

Weedkiller ‘Raises Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma by 41%’

Susan Lang | February 14, 2019

Study says evidence ‘supports link’ between exposure to glyphosate and increased risk This article was originally published in the Guardian . By Carey Gillam A broad new scientific analysis of the cancer-causing potential of glyphosate herbicides, the most widely used weedkilling products in the world, has found that people with high exposures to the popular … Weedkiller ‘Raises Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma by 41%’

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